Note: Hello, hi!
Thank you all for the comments!
This story will be 12 chapters and an Epilogue, so, we're very close to the end already!
Hope you enjoy this one.
December 8th, 2005
Ron and Luna's
He keeps playing with little Sarah. It's hide and seek and he can use his magic, so, it's extremely unfair to the girl. Ron and Luna always let her win, Hermione also, but Harry is not feeling that generous today. Whenever she's about to find him, he apparates to another point of the house. And Sarah complains, hearing the crack from the apparition and running to the other side, trying to find him.
It's been some twenty minutes of it and Harry still hasn't had enough, but Sarah is weeping and it breaks his heart, so, this time he stays in place and she finds him.
"FOUND YOU, UNCLE HARRY!" She screams at the top of her lungs and he laughs softly.
Taking her in his arms, they make faces at each other while he walks to the kitchen to meet Ron, who's cooking them dinner.
"Ah, you found uncle Harry, sweetie? Very well done!" Ron raises a hand and Sarah high fives him. "Did you cry like I told you to?"
"YES!" She says, excited. "It worked, daddy!"
Harry shakes his head, chuckling and putting her down. Sarah starts to run around, going after her mother and little sister, who are probably at a room upstairs.
He settles down on a stool at the little isle, watching while Ron cooks.
"So," Ron says after a while, "Hermione told me."
Harry's heart beats faster. "Told you what?"
"That you were a dick to her." Harry only blinks, his mouth hanging open. Ron frowns. "The whole thing with Krum, Harry. And fucking Jill Anderson while she was trying to shut down Hermione's magazine."
He groans, supporting his head with a hand, feeling like shit.
"Fuck, I was an idiot." He states.
Ron nods. "Mate, the Jill thing is the worst, in my opinion. I mean, Hermione always talks about how she hates this woman and how she's trying to tarnish her name and all that." He moves his wand to put something into the oven. "And I'm supposed to be the insensitive one, but wow, you fucked up real good."
"Shit, Ron, it just happened with Jill, I think I didn't associate her name at all." He mumbles, an ache inside his chest. "Hermione's not talking to me."
"I don't blame her." Ron states in a calm voice.
Harry scoffs. "Since when you two understand each other so well?" It comes out bitter.
Ron laughs. "Blimey, Harry, you're so jealous of her."
"What?" He almost shouts. "No, I'm not!"
Still laughing, Ron says, "Are you sure? Then why didn't you tell her about Krum?"
"I- because-" He raises an eyebrow, looking at Ron. His friend shakes his head and sips on the beer he's having.
"Come on, give me a plausible reason."
"I don't know." He whispers, shutting his eyes.
"You know."
"No, mate, I really don't." He moves a hand in front of him. "It didn't cross my mind, I swear. It wasn't like I thought about it and decided I wouldn't tell her, it wasn't like that."
"But you never supported their relationship." Ron points out.
"Not because I was jealous!" Harry says firmly. "I just don't think he's the right guy for her! You used to think the same-"
"When we were fourteen, for fuck's sake, Harry." Ron snorts. "And because I was in love with her and crazy jealous." Harry widens his eyes. "But things changed and I supported them all the way, mate, I'm even Krum's friend. Something you would know if you hadn't distanced yourself so much from Hermione when she was dating him."
Harry runs a hand through his hair, anxious and feeling worse than before.
"But the guy is a jerk, Ron. He didn't even send her a letter and I'm the wrong one here?"
Ron sighs, chopping onions, "Mate, Hermione asked Krum not to send her letters when he left. Never. She said it would be too difficult to be away from him and receive his letters. And the 'jerk' respected her wish. Different from you who fucked Jill Anderson."
"What?" He whispers, surprised. "Oh, shit." He crumbles down on the isle, this makes everything so much worse. And… why Hermione never mentioned this to him?
"And," Ron continues, his knife going up and down as he chops, "you promised Anderson an exclusive interview? Are you completely nuts? Did a Bludger damage your brain at some point that it became irreversible?"
"I don't even remember promising this interview!" He says sharply, looking at the ceiling and opening his arms. "Fuck! I offered to give it to Hermione, then, but she refused-"
"Of course she did, Harry!" Ron says a bit louder. "Get your head out of your ass, mate!"
Harry presses his lips together, his eyes on Ron. He's a bit angry now.
"Look, Ron, maybe you think you know Hermione better than me or any shit because you two get along now, but I've been her best friend since we were eleven and-"
"Harry, stop." Ron releases the knife on the cutting board and puts both hands on the marble to lean forward to look at Harry. "Listen to me. I have no idea what's been happening with you two, but at the moment, you're not understanding things. You hurt her because you didn't tell her that the man who was probably the love of her life was coming back to London. And then she found out you not just fucked Jill Anderson, but promised her an exclusive interview, that you never considered giving Hermione in all these years. Can you see the picture? Do you get it?"
He swallows hard, that same ache in his chest, a coldness inside him.
"I fucked up." He states, he already knew this, but with Ron saying everything out loud… it sounds so much worse.
"You did." Ron goes back to chopping the onions. He likes to do it manually, says it's more fun. Harry disagrees. "From the conversation I had with her just two days ago, she's still very hurt. I don't think you're going to fix this easily, mate."
The pain in his chest intensifies. He misses her. A lot. Even living in front of each other, Hermione didn't cross the hall to talk to him. He didn't dare knocking on her door either. And the days he went to the Forest of Dean to run, she wasn't there. At least not at the hour they used to go.
"Is she…" He hesitates, but his need to know is stronger, "with Krum?"
He saw them talking at the Conference's party. Hermione kept smiling and touching Krum, listening to his stories and apparently having a great time. Meanwhile Harry was just managing himself, trying not to break something because of their fight.
But even so, from what he saw, they didn't kiss or anything like that, so…
"Well, she told me he wants a second chance." Ron shrugs. "He was here with her, two days ago. We had a nice dinner."
Harry opens his mouth, outraged. "You didn't invite me?"
"Was I supposed to? You were partying, probably, hooking up or whatever."
Harry crosses his arms, annoyed that Ron is… right. He was at a party, then he went home with a insanely hot woman. It was intense, but-
"Maybe I was, but I would like to be at least considered."
Ron snorts. "Mate, Ginny was here with her fiance."
Harry sets his jaw. To his surprise the words don't bother him that much. "Whatever. So, she said he wants a second chance? Is she giving him one?"
"Maybe you should ask her." Ron opens a mischievous smile. "I mean, Hermione is not going to like if she finds out I've been gossiping about her life-"
"I'll punch you, I swear." Harry cuts him. Ron laughs, having his fun with Harry's… despair. He has no idea why he feels so anxious.
"Fine, fine. She's thinking about it. It's hard for her."
Harry gulps. Relief takes over him and he relaxes a bit on the stool, only now noticing how tense he was a second ago.
"But they're spending time together, for sure." Harry states.
"Ah, yes, for sure. Krum told me leaving her was the biggest mistake of his life and he's ready to win her back and marry and have kids. The whole package, you know? I hope it works out. He makes her happy."
"You think so?" Harry asks in a low voice, looking down at his hands, fighting his own emotions. It's hard to understand what's happening inside him.
"I do. Harry, mate." He looks at Ron. "Don't worry about it, she'll forgive you eventually and I know you love and protect her like a sister, but Krum is a good guy. She's in good hands."
Harry sets his jaw. Like a sister? Yeah, right. That's what he said to Ron almost seven years ago. But… he's pretty damn sure - like, really sure - he wouldn't have fucked her like he did if he really felt like it.
He clears his throat at the thought.
He misses having sex with her. But he doesn't want to dwell on it.
"Yeah, I guess." He shrugs and the conversation about Hermione ends.
December 15th, 2005
Harry's flat
The kiss is… dull.
And Harry's had enough of it. But the woman he's kissing is very much into it. She straddles him, both on his couch, at the living room.
He met her at a pub and they barely talked. He just thought she was hot and one thing led to another. However, now, he regrets this decision.
Their kisses are odd and he's just not… into it. At all. Which is frustrating. He can't deny that this lack of interest has been happening more frequently and maybe he should talk with the Doctor about it, because what if he's losing the will to-
"Hey?" The woman calls, "Why are you not touching me? I thought you wanted this."
She licks the side of his face and he frowns.
"I- hey, okay." He gently stands from the couch. "It's not going to work." He says to her. She's still sitting there and Harry realizes that while he was distracted thinking about their awful kisses, she got rid of her panties, tossing it on the floor.
The notion that she's practically naked - he can see she's not wearing a bra - only in her very small black dress, should be extremely appealing to him. And before it would have been, but now…
Before what?
He knows what. He knows who.
He grits his teeth and shakes his head.
"Are you gay?" The woman asks and he chuckles. Of course she knows he's not gay, Harry wanting it or not, he has a reputation.
"No, I'm just not in the mood."
The woman rolls her eyes and fetches her panties, sighing. "Pity. I was looking forward to it." She shrugs, coming to him. "Are you sure?" She strokes him through his trousers, kissing again, but he barely reacts.
And voices at the hallway outside make him stop and pull away.
It's Hermione-
Not thinking about it, he takes three wide steps to his front door, swinging it open. Maybe if they meet like this he might get a chance of talking-
She's with Krum. And little Sarah.
Hermione looks at him, her eyes widening and her face contorting into… disgust? It goes away fast, though.
But it's Sarah who makes him realize how it looks.
"Uncle Harry! You look like a clown!" She giggles and Hermione snorts a strange sound.
She's holding hands with Krum.
Harry feels his heart pounding and hurting, wanting to burst out of his chest.
"Hermione, Krum." He greets them, using a spell to wipe away the woman's lipstick from his face. "How are you, sweetie?" He asks Sarah, crouching, still paying attention to Hermione.
"I'm good! Auntie Hermione and uncle Viktor took me to the park and then we had chocolate ice cream!" She claps her hands.
Harry feels… hollow. And lost.
His eyes go to Hermione. She's looking at him, but her attention shifts when the woman comes from inside his flat.
He stands tall, seizing the woman by the waist, stopping her from heading out.
"This is…" He forgot her name.
"Idina." The woman introduces herself with a gentle smile to Hermione and Krum, who nod back.
Sarah, on the other hand, says, "Is she your friend like uncle Viktor is auntie Hermione's friend?"
Harry clenches and relaxes his jaw, pocketing a hand, feeling a boiling anger inside him.
"I don't think so, sweetie." He says to Sarah, glancing at Hermione. "But you guys have a nice night." He says to them, half entering his place with Idina. "We sure will." He winks at Hermione before closing the door - he has no idea why he wants to provoke her. It feels idiotic.
When he's inside with the woman, he leans his forehead on the door, feeling like the biggest asshole in the whole world.
He can't help wondering if Hermione's having sex with Krum tonight after Sarah leaves for her house. He can't help thinking about her kisses and her taste-
"Hey, are we doing this or not?" Idina asks.
Harry takes a deep breath when he hears Hermione's door closing across the hall.
"Yes, we are."
And he shuts down completely to other thoughts, focusing on having sex with this woman.
A woman that wants him.
December 17th, 2005
The Doctor's office
"You've been very quiet, Harry. On our last three meetings."
He sighs, running a hand through his hair.
"I feel… like a mess." He states in a low voice. "I don't know what's happening or what I'm thinking." He closes his eyes.
"Why? Did something happen?"
He hasn't opened up to the Doctor about his fight with Hermione at the Conference. He's not sure why, but he's been pretending for more than two weeks - almost three - that things are fine, that his life is swell.
But reality is that he can't focus on a single thing. His team lost the last game because he wasn't able of catching the Snitch. He keeps having nightmares. And hooking up now feels dull… wrong.
"I-" He stops his words, not totally certain that he wants to share this with the Doctor. But he decides that he pays her for a reason, so… "I screwed up."
She raises an eyebrow. "How?"
"With Hermione. I-" He sighs. "Viktor Krum is back in London." He states and the Doctor has no reaction, which indicates that she knows. "He's the Ballycastle's new Seeker."
"And?"
"Hermione used to date him, maybe you know about it, most people do. But years ago he left for Bulgaria and she chose not to go with him. Something she told me she regretted in a way." He looks down, "And well, my Coach told me months ago that Krum was coming back. But… I didn't tell her."
"Um." She takes a few notes.
"And when she found out that I already knew… she didn't react very well. Do you think I should have told her?"
"I think… you're making the wrong question."
He rolls his eyes. "I'm not in the mood for this. Just tell me the right question, then."
"Why didn't you tell her?"
"It didn't cross my mind." He says sincerely. It's not a lie. But the Doctor is waiting for something more and he moves a hand in front of him, having no idea what to say. "I never thought he was the right guy for her."
"Ah. I see. So you thought you had the right to hide this from her?"
"No! It's-" He groans, frustrated. "Look, I don't know why and I don't think we'll discover, all I want is to make things right with her again!"
"Okay." The Doctor says calmly. "And what are you doing to fix this?"
He blinks a few times, "I- nothing. She- She doesn't wanna talk to me."
"Really?"
"I- there's something else." He looks at his hands, crackling his fingers. "She found out I fucked a woman that is constantly trying to shut down her magazine. And-" He sighs, "I offered this woman an exclusive interview."
Harry is afraid to look at the Doctor. So, he keeps talking.
"I miss her. I miss running with her every morning and I miss telling her about my days. I miss seeing her at the stands while I'm playing. I miss hearing her laugh. I miss her hugs and I feel terrible for hurting her like that."
"Harry," Her voice is soft and he dares lifting his eyes, there's warmth in hers. "Apologize to her. Show her how much she means to you. Be honest. With her and with yourself." She emphasizes the last words.
He often has a hard time being honest with himself. That's something he admits. But maybe he should try it for a change… Hermione means too much for him not to.
"I miss having sex with her." He whispers. "I- Doctor, I don't know what's happening to me." He presses his lips together, trying not to cry. "Since I had this fight with Hermione I feel off and strange and… things aren't the same anymore. I don't even want to hook up and-" He stops, shrugging.
There's a long and heavy silence after his words.
"Harry, what does Hermione mean to you? Who is she in your life?"
He holds his head with both hands, his elbows on his thighs.
"She's… it's very hard to define her. Hermione is too much to be confined to words, you know? She's my best friend. She's the person I trust the most in this life. She's my safe landing and the one who chastises me when she disagrees with my actions. She pushes me to be my best self when we're together. She-" He brushes a few tears from his cheeks. "She's the only one that never left my side. She's brilliant and funny. Kind and honest…" Beautiful. Hot. "She's the best person I know, Doctor. And Hermione deserves nothing more than to be happy." He gulps, his own words hitting him on the head.
"Go talk to her, Harry." He shakes his head, "I'm giving you therapy homework. You have to leave this office and talk to her. Right now. Apologize and tell her what you just told me."
"I'm not sure-"
"It's not a request. Consider it a Doctor's prescription." She opens a smile to him and Harry snorts, brushing away the last few tears from his face.
"Okay. Okay." He stands from the couch. "Thank you, Doc."
The Clever Owl's building
He thought it would be easier, but as he steps inside the building and strides to her office, his heart is beating like crazy and he's shaking a bit, doubting he has what it takes to have this conversation with her.
People are walking inside in a haste, talking and holding papers while they head to a meeting room. The magazine grew a lot in the last two years and Hermione is expanding the building and staff even more. It's impressive how well she deals with all her journalists and sections.
Harry can already see her office in the distance, the huge door is open as it often is, and Luke is inside with her. She's sitting on her desk, her legs crossed. She's wearing a nice black skirt and a blouse that he considers very flattering. And stilettos. He loves seeing her in high heels. And not just that… her hair is up in a bun and her amazing neck is exposed- his mind goes immediately to the many kisses, licks and bites he left there…
Inhaling deeply and walking to the office, he keeps his eyes on her. She looks serious, her posture tense while she listens to something Luke is saying. She makes a face and talks, moving a hand in front of her to make a point. Harry recognizes the gesture easily, he was the receiving end of it many times. They're in some kind of trouble and that makes him stop on his tracks.
Is this a bad time? What if they're going through a crisis and his presence will only make things worse? Maybe he should come back another time-
Hermione turns her head and their eyes meet. She opens her mouth, frowning. No going back now. He pockets his hands and goes to her, trying to smile and not be a complete idiot.
She crosses her arms, her expression changing from surprise to something not very friendly. Harry sees Luke turning his head on the armchair he's sitting and raising an eyebrow when he sees him. He says something Harry doesn't listen, but he reads Hermione's lips when she says, 'Shut up' in response.
He finally stops at the threshold.
"Luke." He greets the man, his eyes still on Hermione. Hers heavy on him.
"Harry." Luke sighs, standing up. "Ten minutes, Hermione."
"Don't worry, Luke. In five we'll be done, won't we, Harry?"
Harry doesn't answer, but he does move for Luke to walk out.
Closing the door, he sets his jaw, a bit tense.
"What do you want, Harry? It's not a good time."
"I came to apologize."
She snorts. "I'm not ready to forgive you. Is that all?"
"Hermione, don't you think you're being a little too harsh with me?"
"No. I really don't." She shrugs. "To be honest, Harry, I'm having a hard time even looking at you. At least, you took the time to clean the lipstick off your face before coming here."
He scoffs, looking down and then back at her. "I'm having a hard time living without you, Hermione." Well, the idea was to be honest, so… "I miss you." She widens her eyes, sighing. "I'm sorry about Krum and especially about Jill." She makes a face, shaking her head. "I was a jerk and I'm ready to make it up to you. Please, let me. Please." He whispers this last word.
"I don't know what you want me to say, Harry." She closes her eyes. "Just the thought of you and Anderson while that bitch was trying to ruin my life is… it feels like a betrayal."
Their eyes meet. He gulps. She says:
"And I can't help wondering if you… gave her informations about my magazine."
He widens his eyes. "Of course not! Hermione!" He takes the steps to her, stopping very close, right in front of her. "Look at me." She does. "I may be an asshole sometimes, I may behave like a jerk in some occasions, but I would never do a thing capable of harming you this way. You have to know that!"
"I have no idea what to think-"
"Believe me, then!" And he cups her cheek. She closes her eyes. "I'm your best friend." He whispers, touching her forehead with his.
For a while they stay that way and he does his best not to kiss her. He wants to. Badly. But he's glad she's not pulling away from him, which is more than he expected.
"I believe you." She whispers. "But I-"
He does it, then.
He kisses her.
Their lips touch softly. Hermione exhales heavily and he does too, his whole body trembling, his heart bursting in joy and… fear. Their lips separate and they stare at each other. There's an emotion he doesn't recognize in her eyes, but he kisses her again, this time his tongue invades her mouth and Hermione corresponds. He moves his hands to hold her by the waist. Hers move to his hair.
It's a kiss that…
They're not about to have sex.
This is not a consequence from spinning the bottle.
They're kissing because… they want to. Fuck, I missed this so much. It's good and-
She pulls back.
"No." Hermione says, her hands pressing against his chest, putting a small space between them. "No, Harry."
"Hermione-"
"You can't fix everything with meaningless sex!" She spits the words, climbing down the desk and giving her back to him. She's shaking her head and he's shocked by her words. Meaningless? He wasn't even thinking about sex- "You should leave. We're in the middle of a bloody crisis and I can't deal with this now."
"No. I came to apologize and-"
"Fuck!" She yells, turning to him and he flinches. "Just go, Harry. If you really care about me, leave."
He sets his jaw.
"I understand your anger, but I won't stop until I fix this between us."
And he walks out. She doesn't call him back.
Insanely hurt and with a million things going through his mind, he goes to the washroom, wanting to… cry.
He immediately lets out a little sob and runs his hands through his hair. This can't be it. Hermione is so mad at him that… she never treated him this way, she never-
"So." Harry turns at the word to see Luke behind him. "I guess it didn't go very well."
Brushing the few tears away with force, Harry says nothing. Of course Luke knows everything. And there's judgment in his eyes. But the man sighs, shaking his head.
"Look, Harry, I know you don't like me very much and let me tell you that I don't like you very much either." Harry crosses his arms. "But Hermione has been pretty hurt since that Conference. I mean, Jill Anderson. That was a low blow." Luke clicks his tongue. "Regardless, I hate seeing my friend and boss suffering because of your stupidity, so, since you barged into this washroom crying and sobbing, I'm inclined to believe that you regret your actions, therefore I'm ready to help you fix this."
Harry squints at Luke. "Help me?"
"Yeah, well, the thing is… we're in the middle of a huge crisis that you can fix."
"I- what?"
"You see, it's almost Christmas and we have a special issue of the magazine to print out, but," Luke raises a finger, "the Ministry's Journalism Department, responsible for controlling and managing the healthy competition among journalists, is refusing to let us print this issue. And Jill Anderson is the one to blame for it. She fabricated an elaborated lie about Hermione, saying that the magazine is stealing other journalists' articles to profit. Jill has some sway since she inherited a traditional magazine from her parents. But can you guess who has more sway than her? Than anyone else for that matter?"
"I have." He whispers.
"Indeed. And it's our last day to print this, Harry. We've been fighting for it the whole week and I'm sure it would soften Hermione's heart if-"
"I'll do it." He says fast, not even thinking how or when. He'll just barge into the Department. Luke opens a smile. "Luke, is this issue important? Number wise?"
"Very. I mean, it's the most-"
Harry waves a hand, dismissing the explanation. "Are you involved with the Sports section?"
"I am…" Luke says, a bit suspiciously.
"Good, because I'll get the magazine permission to print this issue and I'm giving you an exclusive interview that will feature it."
Luke opens his mouth in surprise, really shocked. "I thought you were never going to give this interview."
"Do we have time to do it?"
"I think so, yeah. I mean, I have the questions prepared for you."
"Okay, good. Meet me at my flat." Luke makes a face, "In front of Hermione's." He nods. "I'll send you a Patronus. And… don't tell her I'm doing this."
"Okay." Harry starts to walk out, but Luke says, "Hey. You're not that bad."
He snorts, leaving. If Hermione doesn't want to talk to him, or if she's not ready to forgive him, that's fine. But at least he'll try to mend this huge mess.
Harry's flat
If there's one thing Harry hates is being reminded that he's the boy-who-lived. The man-who-conquered. He hates these titles more than anything else. It makes him shudder and his skin crawls in honest terror. He only survived because his mother sacrificed herself. And he only conquered because many died and he became a murderer. So, yeah, he hates it.
But for Hermione, he would go to hell and back. Which he kind of did when he entered the Ministry and went to the Journalism Department.
It was a brief conversation with an older and very fat man that probably slept with Jill. He stammered and apologized to Harry, spilling out that Jill had no concrete proof of what she was accusing Hermione of, but since her father was his friend…
Harry only squinted at the man and told him he couldn't be that unfair to people in a world that Harry sacrificed everything to still exist.
It didn't take more than that.
He gave Harry the permission, sweat coating his skin while he gulped in fear.
And after he got home, he sent a Patronus to Luke, who appeared insanely fast. They didn't try being pleasant to each other, but the interview went smoothly and Harry answered a lot of questions that he would rather ignore for the rest of his life. In some he used humor to avoid a direct answer and Luke gladly didn't push.
He talked about his childhood and about his Hogwarts' years. He also talked about being a Quidditch player and how much he wants to bring joy to people by playing his best.
At the end, he thanked his amazing best friend, Hermione Granger, who always stood by his side and never faltered when the time came. It's a public apology and he really hopes it works.
Luke even shook his hand before leaving.
And now… now he's lying on his bed, looking at the ceiling, observing the night taking over outside. It's dark inside the room and he has no idea what time it is. But he does hope Hermione considers even talking with him, maybe going for a run tomorrow. That would be nice.
However, he can't erase from his mind the way she talked with him earlier in her office. Specifically what she said about meaningless sex. It… he never thought of their time together as meaningless. As something of less importance. In fact, if he thinks about it, the times he had sex with her were the ones that… meant the most.
He inhales deeply, not knowing what to make of this. The fact is that they have amazing sex. That's it, right?
But nothing explains why he hasn't been able to enjoy his time with other women since he fought with Hermione… maybe I'm just sad that my best friend is ignoring me. That's very plausible. And true.
He presses his fingers against his lips. The kiss they shared in her office. Harry gulps. It wasn't just a kiss. It was something else. Something important. Big. That Hermione stopped and classified as meaningless. He makes a face-
Then he hears it. The apparition sound.
And her voice.
"Harry?"
"In here!"
In a beat she's there and he lifts his head to look at her. Even in the faint darkness, he can see the way she shakes her head, a side smile on her face.
"You're an idiot." She says in a low voice, softly, crossing her arms and taking one more step to his bed.
He lifts himself on his elbows and magically turns on the lamp by the bed. They can look at each other properly now. She's wearing her working clothes but her hair is down.
"Will you at least consider running with me tomorrow?" He misses her mere presence so damn much.
She snorts. "I think I can do that."
Hermione walks to the bed, sitting down by his side, facing him. They're not touching, but they're very close. And he kind of feels intoxicated.
"I'm sorry. About everything. About Krum and Jill and not realizing what a jerk I was being in not offering to give you that interview."
She sighs. Her hair falling in waves, the light of the lamp making her eyes glow in a beautiful honey that he's totally mesmerized by.
"I forgive you, Harry. What you did today, the interview you gave, I- I have no words to thank you enough."
"You don't have to."
"And I know how awful it must have been for you to go to the Ministry and use the 'I'm Harry Potter' card."
He snorts a chuckle. "It was terrible. But I would do it for you another thousand times." He whispers and she inhales sharply.
"I missed you." She says, her hand going to his, squeezing it. "And I'm sorry about the way I treated you today."
"It's okay." He whispers, his thumb going over her hand, caressing it.
Harry sits on the bed, moving into her personal space. She doesn't move away. Their eyes are locked.
"You're very important to me, Hermione." He says slowly. "You're my best friend and I don't wanna hurt you like that again."
She smiles, her hand going to his face, her fingertips caressing him gently.
"It's okay, Harry. Let's leave this behind us."
He nods in answer, his eyes falling to her lips. He wants to talk about that kiss in her office, but his words are: "Is our friends with benefits deal still on?"
Hermione gulps. "I-" She stops, pondering.
"Are you dating Krum?"
"Not exactly."
He tilts his head, surprised by the answer. "I thought-"
"He wants to. But I'm taking things real slow. I- what happened between us was terrible and I don't want it to happen again, I want him to be sure. And I want to be sure about it too. My feelings for him changed, Harry." She shrugs. "And since we used to fuck like bunnies before, this time I want to… talk more." He tries not fisting his hands at her words, completely crazy with the mental image of them having sex.
Why, though? Why does it bother me so much?
"So, you're not having sex?"
"No." She whispers.
His heart beats faster.
"I think that doesn't break any rule, then, does it?"
"I don't think so…"
And their mouths meet. Eagerly.
Harry seizes her, lying back down with Hermione on top. He doesn't mind that the position is a little odd, he just wants to hold her.
Kiss her.
And it seems like she wants the same. Because in a non verbal agreement, they settle like this on the bed. Their mouths meeting in each and every imaginable way. It's hot and slow. At the same time it's desperate and calming.
Harry never shared kisses like these. This good. So good that just enjoying them is enough.
His hands are traveling her body. One of hers is on his hair - as always - and the other… is stroking him through his pants.
He changes positions on the bed, his mouth still on hers while he turns. Now Hermione is under him and his hand goes immediately to her inner thigh, squeezing and reaching her panties under the skirt.
She's already wet.
He smiles, biting on her lower lip gently.
"You know," He says when he starts kissing her neck. "You didn't go to three games of mine. And if I do remember correctly you have a very special way of apologizing."
She laughs. "Hmmm. Is that so?"
"It is." He bites her neck and she exhales heavily.
"I'll think about it." She teases and he raises an eyebrow, looking at her.
She's smiling. He gives her a peck. Then another. And another. Her smile widens. He smiles too.
"Witch." He whispers.
She licks his lips.
He grunts and moves, kneeling and taking off her stilettos, tossing them behind him.
"Hey, those are expensive!" She complains and he rolls his eyes. They're chuckling.
And both his hands go under her skirt, pulling her panties. Hermione helps him, raising her hips and legs and he takes them off, not tossing her panties behind him, but on the bed.
Then he rides her skirt up, not wasting a second.
In a beat he's licking her hot entrance, feeling completely… glad. Turned on. Amazing.
He thought he had missed doing this, but now that he's having a chance at doing it again he… had no idea exactly how much he missed her.
Too fucking much. It almost felt like a physical pain.
Her legs are spread out, his arms under them, his hands holding her hips and her hands on his hair. She dishevels him while he takes his time.
Slowly, he drives her mad, himself feeling out of his mind. Her taste is like a drug. The most addicting one. Eating her out like this is incredible and he can't get enough of the way she squirms and whimpers, her hands fisting his hair, tugging at it when he sucks on her clit.
He learned that a certain pattern completely wrecks her and he repeats it non stop, swirling his tongue around her clit, kissing and sucking.
"Harry." She whispers his name. And it sounds different. Different from many other times. Or maybe it's been too long since they've done this.
He moans at the back of his throat, rubbing himself on the bed, his hips moving in sync with what his mouth is doing, with his tongue entering her, licking.
Harry squeezes her ass, such an amazing ass, losing a bit of his control and intensifying his ministrations.
In no time he can tell that she's about to cum. And she really does, moaning his name in such a sexy way that-
He keeps licking her while she's jerking under him, cursing in the most sexy way.
Then, not very patiently, he waves a wrist and their clothes disappear.
They share a look and he understands that she wants the same as he.
He thrusts hard into her and they hold on to each other while he moves roughly. She bites on her lower lip, shutting her eyes and taking all of him.
He feels insane.
It's not sweet or slow.
Hermione closes her walls around him and tugs his hair, finding his mouth and kissing hard. Harry stops for a second and she moves on the bed. With their lips pressed together she changes positions, she's on top now.
He delightedly moves his hands to her breasts while Hermione moves, rocking her hips. She throws her head back when he pinches her nipples. To have her this way is so-
She puts both hands on his chest and starts to move, fast, frenetically. He lets out a moan, crazy. He wants to devour her. But he knows they're both so close-
Harry changes their positions again, sitting on the bed and embracing her.
He slows down. She follows.
Their eyes meet.
He kisses her, tongue and teeth, open mouthed kisses while he thrusts slowly but firmly into her. Then he kisses her jaw and neck, rubbing on her, feeling her, totally in the moment, feeling their… connection.
"You're so delicious." He says in a hoarse voice. Her arms tighten around him, her mouth finding his neck.
"You too, fuck, Harry, so much."
He fists and pulls her hair for their eyes to meet and they get lost in the moment. They slow down so much that they're almost stopping. He never felt this connected to anyone in his entire life-
Hermione closes her eyes and moans, he's hitting the right spot. Harry leans to take her nipple in his mouth and she closes her walls around him the moment she reaches her orgasm. He buries himself into her to the hilt, his heart exploding from the sensation.
She dishevels him completely, jerking and raking her nails on his back, rocking her hips and-
He increases the rhythm and cums inside her, moaning.
Breathtaking and memorable.
Harry knows. He knows there's no better feeling than this one.
They hold on to each other completely spent, numb and a bit sweaty.
Then he collapses on his side, laughing, taking her with him. She laughs too. Then she turns her head to him and they share another kiss. A reassuring kiss. A kiss that leaves behind their fight.
He bumps his nose onto hers while they embrace. Her fingers trace his scar and she gives him gentle pecks, on his cheeks, on his jaw, on his neck and lips.
Even if he tried Harry wouldn't be able to wipe the smile from his face.
And he has no idea who does it first, but they fall asleep looking at each other. Holding each other.
He considers it perfect.